PMS is a form of Menstrual Pain, it is a group of symptoms of varying severity affecting women exclusively during the second half of their menstrual cycle. The pain usually starts 5-7 days before the commencement of menstrual flow and subsides a few days following menstruation.

Over 150 symptoms have been described ranging from physical, psychiatric, behavioural and somatic symptoms. Unfortunately, the exact cause of PMS REMAINS UNKNOWN!

Some have suggested hormonal imbalance, increased sensitivity of progesterone, Vitamine B6 deficiency, excess prolactin, hormone therapy, fluid retention and multiple psychological disturbance.


HOW COMMON IS PMS?
PMS affect over 75% of menstruating women. It is less common among adolescents and those who have attained menopause. It is very common among those ladies in their late 20's and early 30's with an average age of onset at 26years. About 5% may experience very severe symptoms and some may become mentally incapacitated at that stage. It affects every culture and race and like I stated above, the cause is unknown.

WHO ARE AT RISK OF HAVING PMS?
The following people are at risk....someone whose mother had PMS, someone who started seeing her menses at a very early age, obesity, smoking, caffeine intake, alcohol ingestion,. Others include those who have not given birth and are at least 26 years of age, someone with a history of psychiatric illness, including anxiety disorders, and depression following childbirth.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
The signs and symptoms vary from one individuals to another, as well as in severity of presentation. They include but not limited to the following: abdominal blaoting and pain, breast pain, waist pain, pain at the extrimities, depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, tearfullness, restlessness, sleeplessness, tension, confusion, headache, anger, fatigue, painful intercourse, etc.

For someone to have PMS the person should have had these signs and symptoms exclusively in the second half of her cycle in at least two consecutive symptoms or she could have the symptoms of other medical conditions she has exagerated during the second half of her pregnancy.

CAN PMS BE TREATED?
Treatment is geared at either reducing the severity of the symptoms or modifying the hormonal dysregulation. There is no CURE yet because the exact cause is unknown at the moment. There are both drug and non-drug treatment.

NON DRUG TTREATMENTS
Avoid simple carbohydrate intakes especially during the second half of the cycle, go for complex carbohydrates, also during this phase of the cycle avoid alcohol, caffeine and caffeinated drinks, smoking, to much salt and rather go for low-fat vegetarian diet.

Exercise is very good and aerobics are wonderful in this regard. Other lifestyle modifications like weight reduction is paramount as well as psychotherapy.

Drugs used include Vitamine B6 and Calsium supplementation, use of fluid-losing drugs, NSAIDS, anti-anxiety drugs, vitamine E. Others include oral contraceptive pills, Danazol, GnRH analogues, bromocriptin, etc

Avoiding some triggers during the second half of your cycle can go a long way giving you a pain-free cycle.

Cheers!